[Question #8707] Scared

40 months ago

Hi doctors,

I had a possible exposure to hiv about five months ago. I didn't think too much about it, but still got tested for hiv at the beginning of last week. They used an antibody only test and i tested negative. Since i was at my doctor for the hiv test already, they also tested me for covid (this is routine here). The covid pcr test was positive, i have no clue where of when i might have picked up covid. No symptoms, so it came as a shock.

Do you think that my covid infection could interfere with an hiv antibody test? Im wondering if it could be falsely negative because of the covid. My doctor says no, but i would like your professional opinion on this.

Thank you

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

40 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.

Most HIV antibody tests are conclusive any time 8 weeks or more after exposure, and all are conclusive by 3 months -- so you can rely on the negative result at 5 months. And your doctor is right: there are no known medical conditions or medications (other than anti-HIV drugs themselves) that affect the reliability of any HIV blood test. COVID definitely isn't a problem.

I hope this helps. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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40 months ago

Hello dr Handsfield,

Thank you for the reassurance.

I have another question. I was browsing the internet for causes of false negative for hiv antibody tests (stupid idea, i know). I Read something about how a simultaneous infection of hiv and hepatitis c from the same exposure could delay hiv antibody production. Is that true?

Greetings

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

40 months ago

There are conflicting reports about hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HIV testing. The expert consensus is that there is no problem. In any case, HCV is sexually transmitted only in one particular situation: potentially traumatic (blood exposure) rectal sexual activities among men who have sex with men. In heterosexuals, the frequency of HCV in the sex partners of infected persons is no higher than in the general population (if both members of the couple do not use drugs by injection). So the possibility you acquired HCV is nil, so this isn't an issue for you.---
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